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This "who-is-out-the-door-first" race can one day escalate in a fight.
I would prevent it by keeping them leashed for a while, , then the other after they both sat before you attempted to open the door. As soon as one gets up, the door closes. This can take a while but you need to let them know that they are not in charge of you or each other. Once you make it outside with two calm dogs, you can unleash the first after she sits (in random order since you decide who does what, where and when), then the other. Practice NILIF for a while with both. How is feeding going?
A good book to read: Feeling Outnumbered? I believe by Patrica McConnell

Yes, this is one thing that I have been working on with both of them because of my worry for Maisie. The door situation is a concern but I have been working on it. I have had my dogs on Nothing in Life is Free since I first read about it years ago. I started doing it with my Lab years ago and it worked great for him, and it seems to be working well with Tess, however occasionally Maisie has selective hearing but she's still young yet. I've been told by others and also on the Cairn Terrier Forum that they tend to mature a lot slower than larger dogs.

As for the eating, they are pretty good, they will both sit and wait while I place the food on the floor, even Maisie, and wait until I say OK before they can approach their food and eat.

I was reading one of the links that Chip18 posted for me and found a lot of good information there regarding two females close in age. Thank you Chip18!

If anyone else has any advice or information on good door etiquette with two females, please feel free to post it, I am always open to good advice.

I would prevent it by keeping them leashed for a while, , then the other after they both sat before you attempted to open the door. As soon as one gets up, the door closes. This can take a while but you need to let them know that they are not in charge of you or each other. Once you make it outside with two calm dogs, you can unleash the first after she sits (in random order since you decide who does what, where and when), then the other. Practice NILIF for a while with both. How is feeding going?
A good book to read: Feeling Outnumbered? I believe by o McConnell

I had no idea, They waited till I said OK then it was a full on sprint! Gunther "always" got out first Rocky has "Wobblers" so was at a disadvantage.

This went on for about 12 to 15 months, then one day Rocky launched the first attack on Gunther!! So I guess I did "see" it coming back I didi not realize what I was "seeing"!

Tahnks for the info!

03-13-2014 01:35 PM

Galathiel

You have to always keep in mind too that while some of us have small dogs that are tough, determined and scrappy, they can be easily injured by taking the fight to the big dog.

I have a 13 lb dog that is 14 years old and hates my 86 lb puppy's guts. I NEVER leave them alone for a second. My puppy doesn't do anything more than want to sniff the old dog, but some day he might decide not to stand for the snapping and snarling that ensues from the old guy. I'm the interventionist (unpaid at that).

With my two, it's a race to see which one of them can get out the
door first.. They will both sit for me at the door and then look at me waiting for me to open it....once I do....look out, it's every girl for herself. Tess usually makes it out first but Maisie will try to challenge her and she's very quick.

I am in awe of the tenacity that Maisie has, never have I owned a small dog, always large dogs and the fact that Maisie can hold her own with Tess always amazes me.....she has no fear whatsoever.

Thanks for the links, I will check them out shortly!

This "who-is-out-the-door-first" race can one day escalate in a fight.
I would prevent it by keeping them leashed for a while, , then the other after they both sat before you attempted to open the door. As soon as one gets up, the door closes. This can take a while but you need to let them know that they are not in charge of you or each other. Once you make it outside with two calm dogs, you can unleash the first after she sits (in random order since you decide who does what, where and when), then the other. Practice NILIF for a while with both. How is feeding going?
A good book to read: Feeling Outnumbered? I believe by Patrica McConnell

Pack leader stuff pay attention to which one of "them" always goes out the door first. You can go first or last never mattered to me but it was "important to my dogs which one of them went out the door first!

So being a good pack leader is your "best" defense against having problems but not a guarantee.

With my two, it's a race to see which one of them can get out the
door first.. They will both sit for me at the door and then look at me waiting for me to open it....once I do....look out, it's every girl for herself. Tess usually makes it out first but Maisie will try to challenge her and she's very quick.

I am in awe of the tenacity that Maisie has, never have I owned a small dog, always large dogs and the fact that Maisie can hold her own with Tess always amazes me.....she has no fear whatsoever.

Thanks for the links, I will check them out shortly!

03-12-2014 11:05 PM

Chip18

Here are some links I found "after" my problems started. Oh yeah I had two dogs and added the third...I now had a "Pack"!

A member here posted this info, note Rank Drive that's what caught me out! I had always done Bully breeds, dogs with low rank drive. But my GSD was like OK you pilot the ship.."I'll" run the crew!(Elements of Temperament, by Joy Tiz )
Dominate Male BullMastiff/PittMix vs Dominate Aggressive Male GSD, 15 months of no problems then it was on! I never saw it coming ! "I" screwed up! The door thing..it was "always" the Bully first out the door among the dogs!

But I was dealing with males! Anyway this is all stuff you don't have to learn the hardway!

I am well aware that this isn't a joke, that is why I am here asking for advice. The last thing I want is to see my two girls become aggressive toward one another, they have always got along extremely well.

Cool wanted to make sure
You knew what your getting into.

Pack leader stuff pay attention to which one of "them" always goes out the door first. You can go first or last never mattered to me but it was "important to my dogs which one of them went out the door first!

So being a good pack leader is your "best" defense against having problems but not a guarantee.

Thank you for this, I put a lead on Tess to wear around the house and anytime she went near Maisie, I corrected her and said "NO". It's been working, just now Maisie was playing with an empty water bottle and Tess went to go after her and I called to her saying "Tess No" and she just laid down. I am going to say on top of this behavior and work on it with her every day. I can't wait until all the snow/water and mud are gone from my yard so I can work with her outside too. It's been such a long winter.

excellent. I know with my girl, she'll likely always at least TRY to get whatever Dax has and vice versa but they correct easily so it helps a great deal. I know being cooped up doesn't help anything but they still need to know some things just aren't acceptable no matter how stir crazy everyone is going from being stuck inside. You'll get there. You're already seeing results in the fact Tess was told no and she just laid down so right on! Keep it up!

Not cute not a joke, you need to get your act together. I don't do two females (Boxer thing) you need to exercise good leadership to have a hope of this pairing working! You don't want to wind up here!

I am well aware that this isn't a joke, that is why I am here asking for advice. The last thing I want is to see my two girls become aggressive toward one another, they have always got along extremely well.

Sounds like the infamous female-female competition building up. Rough play can easily escalate into a serious fight. Do not leave the two together unsupervised. There are several threads on this topic if you type it in the search button. Consider hiring a trainer to come to your home and determine the best plan of action. But interview several to make sure you like their philosophies.
PS: buying two of the same toys will not solve things. They always want what the other has.

Totally agree with no matter how many toys they each have, they always want what the other one has. Tess is a quick study, loves to train and catches on pretty quickly. Tess has a trainer who also takes her out once a week on an adventure and I walk Tess on conservation trails, although lately, it hasn't been easy due to the snow and extreme cold. Maisie goes to day care once a week now and interacts extremely well with the other dogs there. Thank you for your input, I am very careful not to let them play without supervision. I'm home every day and always keep a very close watch on them.

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